As high school seniors across the country prepare to march across the stage next month, probably few will have overcome more to get there than Sarah Willis.
The Bel Air teen, a student at C. Milton Wright High School, shines as an example of strength and courage in both the classroom and on the field.
Two years ago, Sarah?s mother, Karen Willis, lost a yearlong battle with lung cancer. Though it is not uncommon for the realities of life ? and death ? to be suffered by the young, Willis? situation was especially difficult because her mother chose to raise her alone, and Willis had no knowledge of her father.
“I get stronger every day,” Willis says. “I try to always look at the positive. I try not to worry about the detail[s].”
To look at Willis? C. Milton Wright career, positive can perhaps be a good word to sum it up.
As a member of C. Milton Wright?s varsity soccer and lacrosse teams, she has helped the school bring home two state championships ? one for soccer in 2003 and another for lacrosse in 2004.
This success has also transferred over to Willis? performance in the classroom, earning her a 3.857 GPA in C. Milton?s 2005 winter quarter.
“I hate losing,” Willis says, whether it be on the field or in the classroom. Her desire to succeed is so great that she even displays a slight annoyance with the fact that “57” in her GPA did not round up to a 3.9.
All of this notwithstanding, Willis tries to share her academic success with fellow C. Milton Wright student in her capacity as a senior mentor.
“Mainly, if anything, I help them with their grades,” Willis said, of the CMW freshmen she mentors. “I love to help them,” she said, adding that she thinks she might enjoy a career as a teacher.
“You can?t get more positive than Sarah Willis,” said CMW vice principal Christopher M. Battaglia. “She has an engaging personality.”
